Something Random

time

Storage? I am Storage!
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Does that include sales tax?

If not, then you're finally within 10% of what we pay in Oz. Congratulations?
 

ddrueding

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Nope, that is all-in. And gas taxes are pretty high here in CA. $67.25 to fill an Audi A3.

Of course, that station only had full-serve, so there is a significant surcharge there as well.
 

time

Storage? I am Storage!
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That would be $80.60 here, and I haven't seen a full-serve station in at least 15 years.

I believe Toyota Landcruisers can take up to 35 US gallons; that's over $200 to really fill your car. :eek:
 

ddrueding

Fixture
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I read this article in my paper copy of Wired today. Fascinating how they made a wind powered vehicle that can go faster than the wind, downwind.

Very cool. I remember when that first appeared some time ago. The thought in my mind was that the prop operated kind of like a ratchet; locking in the power the wind had already imparted on the craft, allowing it to start with all the power the wind could give from any speed. Eventually, they would reach equilibrium when the amount of drag from in front was the same as the wind resistance, from a standstill, from behind. Of course, with the prop moving, the forward drag will never reach the rearward resistence. So what is the theoretical max speed?
 

time

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Fascinating how they made a wind powered vehicle that can go faster than the wind, downwind.

Cool. Does make you think; I wonder if it could be made efficient enough to work in any direction, by always pointing the propeller into the wind?
 

ddrueding

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Cool. Does make you think; I wonder if it could be made efficient enough to work in any direction, by always pointing the propeller into the wind?

If it will work straight downwind, it will work at any angle. Downwind is the worst-case scenario. The only additional issue is lateral forces working against the mast, but they'll need to deal with that just to overcome the rotor-torque issue anyway.
 

LunarMist

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I believe in reducing energy consumption through technology, but sacrificing comfort is to be avoided. I have special-order windows more efficient than the local guys had ever seen. I've insulated the house to near Norwegian specs even though I live in central California. The water heater I'm planning on getting is the most efficient in the world, same with the heat pump, and all my power supplies are 80+ Gold. However, we've been known to take 40+ minute showers and my wife likes the bedroom at 72F all night (not my thing, but that is marriage for you). I have about 600W continuous draw at the house from playing with F@H, which at $0.40/Kwh is a very expensive choice. My cars get good mileage, but then I drive them very quickly, and we drive often on weekends to distant destinations for meals to "get away".

Not sure of the ROI at the high end. Have you calculated everything including maintenance for short, medium and long term? 72°F indoors is normal. Do you want it to be higher in the summer?
 

LunarMist

I can't believe I'm a Fixture
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A good friend just turned 56 (not elderly), but due to some medical issues, decided not to renew his license. My grandmother is 90 (certainly elderly) gave up her license 5 years ago after an accident happened in front of us that she wouldn't have been able to avoid.

F*ckin A 56 is not elderly!
 

Chewy509

Wotty wot wot.
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Does that include sales tax?

If not, then you're finally within 10% of what we pay in Oz. Congratulations?

Nice to see... but I was unhappy to fill the bike up tonight paying 152.9c per litre. (It was 137.9c/L this morning). Mind you, to fill the tank only cost $8.20. (I get an average of 2.9L/100km on the bike).
 

ddrueding

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Not sure of the ROI at the high end. Have you calculated everything including maintenance for short, medium and long term? 72°F indoors is normal. Do you want it to be higher in the summer?

I'm perfectly happy with it being 74 in the summer and 68 in the winter. The ROI is only there if energy costs increase significantly (which I believe they will). Even if it doesn't pan out financially, I feel better running a more efficient system.
 

Mercutio

Fatwah on Western Digital
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My apartment's power bill is nearly $200 a month now. Most of that is just leaving PCs on all the time, especially the four file servers. I'm not expecting that cost to go down, but at the same time I still want those systems to be on and operating when I want to use them.

ddrueding, why not look at a heat pump system for heating and cooling if they're actually a significant portion of your power expenses?

Random fact #1: It took me less time to rip the Tron: Legacy Blu-Ray than it did to figure out why it wasn't playing back on any of my software players. There is something wrong with a format that is like that. Now Tron: Legacy will be an 9GB file on a server in my apartment and the disc will never, ever be played again. Way to fight for the users, Tron.

Random thing #2: "Droid" is a Verizon marketing term, not an abbreviation for "Android", which is Google smart device platform.
 

ddrueding

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I will indeed be putting a heat pump system in, as soon as I get a kitchen going. We're out of the winter, so no heating will be needed until October at the earliest.
 

Stereodude

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I'm having a really hard time conceptualizing the principles that make this thing work. I may just have to build one.
I'll admit I don't understand it myself though I haven't attempted to really think about it either.

The part that gets me is that the wheels turn the prop, not the prop turning the wheels. :scratch:
 

Mercutio

Fatwah on Western Digital
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Amazon Prime is $4/item for overnight with Prime. Amazon still doesn't have everything Newegg does but it's better than nothing.

I also notice that shipping on Newegg's cases is suddenly much more reasonable, but the price on each case is now about $10 higher.
 

ddrueding

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That is why these gimmicks are just that. It's not like you aren't going to pay for it somehow. The only way to play is find a system that works best for your ordering volume/priority.
 

Mercutio

Fatwah on Western Digital
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It's a lot easier for me to justify a $60 case with $3 in shipping than a $50 case with $20 in shipping. Those inexpensive Compucase chassis are just about the only thing I buy from Newegg at this point.
 

Handruin

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I read that their new service will covers returns which is awesome when they ship damaged hard drives. That'll help sway me back to newegg. Amazon's return policies have been much better. I've been going local to microcenter for certain items on good deals and then amazon and finally newegg for the items I can't find elsewhere or for a better price.

I bought something at BestBuy for the first time in a long time. I couldn't pass up the killer deal on Cars and The Incredibles on bluray. Normall $50 for both, it was $10 off if bought together and then I brought in the disney $8 and $10 off. i walked out with the two combo packs (BR + DVD + some stupid download) for $22 + tax. On top of that each combo comes with one movie ticket to see Cars 2. I think the deal ends this weekend if anyone else is interested.
 

CougTek

Hairy Aussie
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Even if I'm still at the office, it's Köstritzer time again. Have no worries, the boss won't be mad.:tgif:

For those thinking I might be PUI, lack of sleep are too many working hours are affecting me a lot more than a single 500mL beer.
 

Bozo

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Feb 12, 2002
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Twilight Zone
I prefer the Bill Me Later system. No credit cards, usually 6 months or more to pay without interest, just write a check.

I use Amazon Prime. I ordered a dehumidifier for my basement. Shipping weight was over 50 pounds and I got it the next day for $3.99. That paid for my yearly fee. :-D
 

MaxBurn

Storage Is My Life
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Just got a new work machine, Dell E6410. First one in our group with win7 which means I need to do some software testing. So far surprised at how well XP mode works, I was able to get some things working that I couldn't get working under VMware/win98 (yes some of the software is that old).

Boots into 7 desktop in about 2 min 30 seconds. I think that isn't so good for a win7 box but I was thrilled with the improvement over my XP box which must be up in the seven minute boot time now. I must work some magic, it must get better, certainly don't need SQL express 08 at boot time. Checkpoint full disk encryption ensures I can't swap in my own SSD, dammit.

Gripes so far, no real serial port so I can't use my old converter box tools. Display port instead of DVI/HDMI, I don't understand the whole move to display port, we just got things in sync with TV's.
 

CougTek

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????

I once gave a Disney movie (Ratatouille IIRC) to the little girl of one of my friend and she still likes me three years later. That's what I figured you were going to do. How's that agressive?
 

Handruin

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Why would you assume I was giving the movies to children?

Your assumption or inference that children would be the recipient of said movies implies and is the passive aggressor that grown adults wouldn't/shouldn't watch them.
 

Stereodude

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I'm sorry, but IMHO Cars is probably one of the worst Pixar movies, if not the worst. The Incredibles is pretty good. I think Monster's Inc is probably the best one.
 
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